Tag: cancer

The PSA Test and Prostate Cancer: How Reliable Is It?

The advantages of the blood test for the early detection of prostate cancer have given rise to controversy. Urologists advise against stigmatising the PSA test.

Dr. Schiefelbein warns against devaluing the PSA test, as it is still the most sensitive parameter for early detection of prostate cancer.

The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) recommended that statutory health insurance companies not offer or reimburse PSA screening due to the harm it can cause, such as overdiagnosis, overtreatment, and false-positive results.

The American Urological Association demands a PSA test as a health insurance benefit.

The BDU advocates for the approval of the PSA test as a health insurance benefit due to its effectiveness in detecting cancer and minimising the risk of dying from prostate cancer.

The utility value is determined by the individual’s risk profile.

Schiefelbein, a Würzburg urologist, points to the study “European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer” (ERSPC) which suggests that the PSA test can reduce mortality from prostate cancer by up to 21 percent and reduce the risk of metastases by up to 42 percent. However, the expert advocates “risk-adapted prostate screening” which takes into account a man’s individual risk profile for prostate cancer, such as an elevated PSA level between the ages of 40 and 45 and if prostate cancer runs in the family. 

For men with a low baseline PSA level at the age of 40 or 45, no family risk and no abnormal physical examination findings, the next check-up may not be necessary for three or five years or more. In men with a family risk, closer monitoring is important.


Prostate cancer: the most common cancer in men

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men, with 66,900 diagnosed in Germany. Early detection is important, as carcinomas often go undetected for a long time, but are easily curable in the early stages. The examination by the urologist includes rectal palpation of the prostate and genitals, but a tumour that is discovered by palpation is usually more advanced and has a poorer chance of healing.

Dr. Wolfgang Bühmann, urologist and spokesman for the Professional Association of German Urologists (BDU), warns against diagnosing prostate cancer too late. It is possible to have a blood test done in addition to the palpation to determine the PSA value, but the procedure is controversial as it can lead to a short-term increase due to benign prostate enlargement, inflammation, urinary tract infection, or sex and sport. The meaningfulness of the value is not reliable.


What is the PSA value?

PSA is a protein produced by the prostate and released into the semen. It is found in healthy men in small amounts, but increases in prostate cancer.

PSA test as an indicator of prostate disease

PSA levels can be determined by a blood test, which can indicate prostate disease, such as benign hyperplasia or benign inflammation. Prostate carcinoma can also be indicated by an increased PSA value, and further investigations may be initiated.

PSA value in ng/mljudgement
0-2unremarkable, check-up after two years
2-4in need of clarification, control after one year
over 4Tissue sample recommended

How safe is the PSA test?

The PSA test is an important diagnostic method for early detection of prostate cancer, but its result must be viewed in relation to other studies. Healthy men have a PSA level of 0-4 nanograms per milliliter of blood, but if it increases by more than 0.75 nanograms per milliliter of blood each year, a tissue sample is usually taken. This is the only way to determine with certainty whether it is prostate cancer.

“Prostatakrebs: Wie Sicher Der PSA-Test Wirklich Ist.” www.t-online.de, 3 Mar. 2011, www.t-online.de/-/44661722.

Blood counts and cancer 

Morphology is something we frequently overlook, but it needs to be done at least once a year. If you are experiencing unsettling symptoms, do not put off getting your blood tested. 

What symptoms should prompt us to perform a morphology?

I believe that even in the absence of disease symptoms, a complete blood count should be performed once a year. Additionally, this test needs to be done if there are any severe disease symptoms.

In particular, prolonged infection, severe weakness, hemorrhages, or the emergence of petechiae should prompt a blood examination. It is crucial to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of blood disorders and to remind people that many diseases, not just those affecting the blood, can be identified using this straightforward test. Disorders of other organs are also reflected in the blood, which functions as a kind of mirror.

How high of an ESR can indicate cancer?

I advise the ESR test in addition to morphology. This straightforward test can detect a variety of diseases. These are either inflammatory or neoplastic diseases. When the OB is greater than 20 but less than 40, the outcome should be concerning. If it persists or worsens, you must first repeat the test and continue the diagnosis. Diagnostics should be initiated without undue delay if the ESR is greater than 40. If the ESR is greater than 100, we are considered to be seriously ill. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that severe disease can occasionally arise without an accelerated ESR, so other symptoms need to be kept an eye on.

A general urine test is also worthwhile because it can speed up the detection of cancer by revealing the presence of blood or protein. Everyone should get these tests done at least once a year, even those who are asymptomatic. These affordable tests have the potential to save our lives.

Can we diagnose cancer based on blood counts?

In the peripheral blood, specific blood cell types are either insufficient or excessive. This examination can pick up on a wide range of leukemias, polycythemia, thrombocythemia, primary myelofibrosis, some lymphomas, and myeloma, as well as a large number of tumors in other organs that are secondary to anemia.

Such anemia might be a cancer precursor. A postmenopausal man or woman with particularly mild iron deficiency anemia may experience gastrointestinal bleeding, which is frequently the result of a tumor in this system. However, it does carry out diagnostics that will eventually result in a diagnosis. Finally, you can identify blood cell deficiencies using morphology.

When should morphology results be of concern? When can they indicate cancer?

The most typical signs of leukemia are elevated monocyte or lymphocyte levels. An increase in red blood cells may then be a sign of polycythemia vera, which we include in the so-called myeloproliferative neoplasms. In essential thrombocythemia, there is a very high concentration of platelets, or thrombocytes.

The incorrect values are typically indicated by the letters L (for low) or H (for high) in the result. The more the values marked in this manner deviate from the norms listed next to them, the more cause for concern and medical attention should be sought. In contrast, it is unlikely that we are in danger if the results are within the normal range.

Can the morphology clearly determine that we have cancer, or are other tests needed to confirm it?

Usually, even if a blood cancer is suspected, further tests are needed to determine exactly what type of cancer it is.

Important discovery about sudden weight loss in cancer patients

LONDON: Researchers think they have a better understanding of what causes the sudden and worrisome weight loss in late-stage cancer patients. Researchers in the UK have linked a gene called GDF 15 to cachexia, which causes sudden and worrisome weight loss in late-stage cancer patients. Researchers in the UK have linked a gene called GDF 15 to cachexia. Eighty percent of cancer patients in the final stages experience a complicated process in which they simultaneously lose their appetite, fat, and muscle. For 20 to 30 percent of patients, this procedure is believed to be the primary cause of death.

The findings of the TRACERx study, which were published in Nature Medicine, may aid in the early diagnosis of the condition, according to the researchers. Lead author of the study and clinical associate professor at University College London’s Cancer Institute Dr. Maryam Jamal-Hanjani said that although the biological basis of this dangerous condition had long been unknown to scientists, the massive funding for TRACERx research, the samples needed to be obtained, and the data needed to be gathered allowed for discoveries specific to Caucasians.

 Researchers are now looking for variations in cancer or blood that may one day help us recognise a patient’s vulnerability to cachexia so that we can take preventative measures, he added. can go.

Breast calcifications can be cancerous

Mammography is frequently used to detect breast calcifications, particularly in women over the age of 50. They are typically gentle. They are classified as macrocalcifications and microcalcifications, with the latter usually indicating breast cancer or precancerous changes.

Calcifications in the breasts are mineral deposits of calcium that can be seen in mammography. They may or may not indicate cancer, but clusters of irregular and variously shaped microcalcifications are particularly suspicious. 

Mammography is the basic examination in the diagnosis of microcalcifications, but only a biopsy can give certainty. Calcifications do not usually cause breast pain.

Breast calcifications types

Calcifications are classified into several types. Microcalcifications are small calcifications in the breasts, while macrocalcifications are large calcifications. Breast calcifications can be either benign or malignant in nature.

Macrocalcifications in the breasts

On a mammogram, macrocalcifications appear as large white dots or dashes. They affect half of all women over the age of 50. They are almost always harmless. They are larger than microcalcifications and, as a result, can be seen on a breast ultrasound. Only mammography can reveal the smaller ones. If they are discovered, the doctor decides whether to proceed with further diagnosis or to observe the calcifications.

Microcalcifications in the breasts

Breast microcalcifications are more concerning than macrocalcifications. They resemble tiny white dots. They could be signs of a cancerous or precancerous condition. There are many different kinds of them, each with its own location and shape. There may be both benign and malignant changes among them.

Mild microcalcifications

They are most often visible in a mammogram as highly saturated, punctate shadows scattered throughout the breast or located in the walls of blood vessels. It is important to note that the vast majority of microcalcifications detected during mammography are benign.

Malignant microcalcifications

Microcalcifications are the first sign of breast cancer, formed in cancer cells even before the formation of a tumor. If found, a mammography-guided biopsy is ordered to assess the changes and confirm or exclude them. A marker made of titanium is placed in the place of the collected tissues and an operation is performed to remove the affected tissues.

Breast calcifications – interpretation of research

The BI-RADS classification is used to assess the changes revealed in the mammographic examination. The results are given on a scale of 0 to 6: 

  • Grade 0: Indicates an incomplete assessment and additional imaging studies are required. The risk of malignancy is uncertain and difficult to quantify.
  • Grade 1:  This is the norm, i.e. a completely normal picture. The risk of malignancy is 0%. No additional tests are necessary.
  • Grade 2:  The result is a mild lesion. The risk of malignancy is 0%. No additional tests are necessary.
  • Grade 3:  Indicates a lesion that is most likely benign. The risk of malignancy is estimated at ≤ 2%, but follow-up after six months and additional ultrasound examination are necessary.
  • Grade 4:  Suspicious lesion, risk of malignancy from 2 to 95%. Within this assessment, 3 more subgroups are distinguished:
    – 4a – a suspicious lesion, but with a low degree of malignancy probability,
    – 4b – a suspicious lesion with an average degree of malignancy probability,
    – 4c – a suspicious lesion with a high degree of malignancy probability, without visible signs of malignancy. Further diagnostics are needed to rule out or confirm malignancy.
  • Grade 5:  Lesion with a high probability (≥ 95%) of malignancy. Further diagnosis and treatment is needed.
  • Stage 6:  Indicates confirmed cancer – previously confirmed by other tests.

Only a specialist doctor can assess the nature of microcalcifications. Therefore, it is best to leave the interpretation of the research results to him.

Common signs of cancer that most people ignore

Cancer is the fastest-spreading disease around the world that causes millions of deaths each year.

But most people with cancer learn about the disease very late because they ignore the symptoms of the disease.

Ignoring the symptoms of cancer has disastrous consequences.

So learn about the symptoms of cancer that most people ignore.

Changes in the Skin

A new sign in the skin or changes in texture, color or volume can be a sign of skin cancer. If there is a sudden abnormal change in the skin, then you should consult a doctor.

Cough

It is a very common disease, but when it is such that it is not recovering despite treatment, it can be a sign of cancer, especially if you are addicted to smoking. If you start coughing and bleeding, it can also be a sign of cancer.

Flatulence
Women who complain of flatulence and do not have any early remission should consult a doctor. This can be a symptom of ovarian cancer.

Problems with urination

Most men experience urinary problems with aging, such as excessive urination or weakening of the bladder. Many times this happens as a result of bladder cancer.

Bleeding in the stool

If blood is seen after going to the toilet, it is better to consult a doctor.

Bleeding in the stool can also be a sign of colon cancer, while if blood is seen in the urine, it can be a sign of kidney or bladder cancer. However, it can be decided by the doctor after the test.

Difficulty in swallowing

Sometimes it becomes difficult to swallow things due to acidity or cold in the chest, but if the condition does not improve with time, then the doctor should be consulted.

Difficulty swallowing things is considered a sign of throat cancer or esophageal cancer.

Mouth problems

Ranging from the smell of breath to blisters, most mouth problems are not very serious, but if white or red marks start appearing inside the mouth that do not heal for a few weeks, then a doctor should be consulted.

It can be a sign of mouth cancer, its other symptoms include lumps in the cheeks, difficulty in moving jaws and pain in the mouth.

If the body weight starts decreasing rapidly for no reason, then it is also a warning bell.

It can also be the first sign of pancreatic, gastrointestinal, esophageal, lung or other types of cancer.

If there is a fever that is not cured and the cause is not understood, then it can be a sign of blood cancer.

Heartburn or indigestion

Heartburn is quite common and is the result of diet or stress.

However, if there is a complaint of heartburn all the time, then you should consult a doctor and find out the reason because it can also be a sign of stomach cancer.

Fatigue

Several things can make people very tired. But sometimes fatigue is also the first symptom of some types of cancer.

Patients with blood, colon, and stomach cancer often experience a lot of fatigue, which does not end despite rest.

If you also experience fatigue all the time, you should consult a doctor.

Breast

Breast cancer is the most common type of breast cancer in women and therefore it is important to keep an eye on changes in the breast.

Note: This article is based on details published in medical journals, readers must also consult their physician in this regard.

Ants Can Smell Cancer

From “The Ants Go Marching” song, via Kylie Van Dam. When I was young, I remember being horrified and fascinated to learn that hospitals sometimes use live maggots in wound care because of their precision. Maggots clear away gangrene and leave healthy tissue. The UK National Health Service says, “They also help fight infection by […]

Ants Can Smell Cancer

Toilet paper spreads dangerous diseases

A recent study by American experts found that toilet paper can spread diseases like cancer, liver disease, and infertility, which can be very dangerous and even kill people.

A recent study by American experts found that toilet paper can spread diseases like cancer, liver disease, and infertility, which can be very dangerous and even kill people.

Toilet paper spreads dangerous diseases
Photo by hermaion on Pexels.com

Research shows that toilet paper itself doesn’t make people sick, but some of the chemicals used to make it can. According to a study published in the scientific journal ACS Publications, experts from the U.S. state of Florida looked at samples of used sewage water from all over the U.S. and other countries to see how toilet paper affected them.

The experts looked at how much of the chemical (PFAS) was in toilet paper and other similar products, such as cleaning foams and foams used by the fire department.

The study found that the amount of PFAS in the sewage water of the US state of Florida was low, but that it was high in other US states. Surprisingly, the mentioned chemical was also found in the sewage water of European countries, with France having the highest level at 89%.

According to the research, the chemical in question can weaken the immune system, cause diseases, inflammation, liver disorders, cancer, and infertility in both men and women. Its high presence in toilet paper can make the chances of getting these diseases even higher.

Research has shown that a chemical called PFAS is used in the making of toilet paper and other similar products to keep them from breaking down.

Experts said that even though the amount of a chemical called PFAS in toilet paper is very low, used toilet paper can build up in sewage water and spread diseases in places where it is used a lot. Experts warned that it is not possible to rule out not only toilet paper but also any other product that has PFAS chemicals in it.

Researchers discover more benefits of oleic acid found in Olive oil

Olive oil contains oleic acid in the form of fatty acids that remove cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s

Just as turmeric is a curcumin chemical present in it, oleic acid in olive oil is also its most important ingredient. Now more medical benefits have been discovered.

health benefits of oleic acid found in Olive oil
Photo by Mareefe on Pexels.com

All types of olive oil contain 70 to 80 percent of oleic acid. Now experts from the University of Seville, Al-Jaraf Institute and Costa del Civil Hospital in Spain have done an important study. According to scientists, oleic acid is found in the form of fatty acids in olive oil and has proved to be very useful for the heart.

Oleic acids energize cell membranes and molecules and also play an important role in antioxidants. Then in a very deep way, it prevents cholesterol, thus protecting against blood thickening and heart disease. On the other hand, to reduce inflammation in the body, it contains important components that repel the attack of cancer.

Prevention of Obesity

Oleic acid also plays an important role in preventing obesity and obesity. Apart from this, they also protect DNA abnormally. The same research has shown that olilithinol amide, an important component derived from oleic acid, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Experts believe that this ingredient can be an important drug in preventing obesity. Apart from this, it also strengthens the immune system by keeping the cells in the best condition.

Intermittent fasting may increase the risk of heart disease or cancer

A new study shows that intermittent fasting may make you more likely to get heart disease or cancer.

Researchers at Mount Sinai did a study on mice and found that skipping breakfast cut the number of white blood cells by 90%. These cells help fight disease, control inflammation, and eliminate damaged cells from the body.

Dr. Philip Sorsky, an immunologist at New York City Hospital who led the study, said that it is important to understand how immune cells work because they are so important for other diseases like heart disease and cancer.

The researchers also said that the study shows for the first time that skipping meals causes stress in the brain, which hurts immune cells.

Some studies before this one said that intermittent fasting might have something to do with getting older. But this new research shows the opposite.

In this way of dieting, you limit the number of calories you eat for a few hours, days, or weeks in order to lose weight and change the way you eat.

see also : By making aerobic exercise a habit, the risk of cancer can be significantly reduced

By making aerobic exercise a habit, the risk of cancer can be significantly reduced

Cancer is considered to be the second leading cause of death in the world, but it is very easy to avoid it, a new medical study has revealed.

By making aerobic exercise a habit, the risk of cancer can be significantly reduced.

This was revealed in a new medical study.

In this study, the medical data of 2734 people was reviewed for 20 years.

Researchers found that people who are accustomed to aerobic exercise, such as running, have a 72 percent lower risk of metastatic cancer.

In the second phase of the study, experiments were carried out on mice.

Blood cancer cells were inserted into these mice, but they were given aerobic exercises before and after the cells were inserted.

The researchers discovered that the rate of diagnosis of cancerous tumors in exercising mice was significantly lower than in others.

According to the research, exercise caused metabolic changes in the use of glucose in the body of mice, which indicates that increasing the demand for glucose in the internal organs does not fuel cancerous cells for growth.

According to experts, it is not possible for every person to do strenuous exercises like running, but moderate exercise such as brisk walking can also help prevent cancer.

He said that several research reports have revealed evidence that physical activities such as brisk walking reduce the risk of many types of cancer.

Earlier in August, research published in the journal The Lancet showed that the death rate from such types of cancer is increasing worldwide, which can be easily prevented.

The study found that smoking, alcohol use or excess body weight are the three biggest factors that cause cancer.

Researchers said that the results have proved that it is possible to prevent most cases of cancer globally, while early diagnosis and effective treatment can also reduce the death rate.

The researchers acknowledged that not all cancer cases or deaths can be prevented, but avoiding smoking and alcohol, maintaining a healthy body weight, avoiding excessive sunlight, and a balanced diet can reduce the risk of this deadly disease.